By Peg McRoy Glover
The Plainfield Town Council amended the town’s contract with Motorola Solutions at their April 12 meeting. Motorola provides video products for the police department. This amendment upgrades police body cameras, in-car video systems, evidence management software and provides body cameras for all sworn staff. The cost of these upgrades is $722,700 and is part of the town’s initiative to increase transparency between the police department and the community. It should also decrease the
cost of investigations. Chief of Police Jared McKee said that the advantage of the new system is that the cameras will be continuously recording. He is also thankful that the council sees the benefits of these upgrades and is willing to finance it.
The police department also implemented a de-escalation simulator program last year. This program allows officers to replicate realistic encounters and apply de-escalation techniques. The department has hosted conversations to strengthen community outreach as well.
